Two Water Towers Threatened
By Laryssa Wirstiuk | Online Only | Sept. 29, 2008
"We're trying to decide just how historic it is, but it is certainly a fan favorite," says Peg O'Leary, coordinator for the city's historic preservation commission. The commission believes that the smiley face was inspired by Tom Terrific, a cartoon character from children's television show Captain Kangaroo.
The tower has not been in service since 2000; two years ago, the city council considered demolishing the tower for an estimated $50,000, a fraction of the $368,000 it would cost to repair and repaint it. At this time, however, the tower's fate remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, there is no hope for the smile-adorned water tower in Hope, N.D., located about 75 miles southwest of Grand Forks. That structure was built in the 1950s and, like the Grand Forks tower, was painted with a smiling face in the 1970s.
According to Merl Paaverud, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, "The people of Hope thought the smiley face was interesting and wondered where it came from," but "the construction is very common." The society could not find any reason to preserve the Hope tower, which has been determined not to be historical. Next year Maguire Iron, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., will remove the old tower and build a new one.
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Comments
Submitted by George at: January 25, 2009
Call Universal Steeplejack, They can do the restoration for half that amont. 845-352-1234
Submitted by Chester at: October 12, 2008
My grandfather painted Smiley. I am very proud of this historic landmark, and I am currently researching getting involved in saving it. I believe I can get my uncles, and other family members, not to mention members of the Grand Forks community to assist in it's restoration. All of my uncles on my fathers side worked in the steeplejack trade and would be more than capable of helping. I know that due to current OSHA regulations as well as current material and labor costs this could be quite the endeavor. I feel that most of the labor and materials could be donated. This is a very well loved landmark, and hopefully it's historic value is never in question. My grandfather came up with this design, and it's smile and wink has brought joy to many a passerby. Hopefully my children, and grandchildren will one day look up at Smiley and see him winking back at them.
Submitted by Brian at: October 1, 2008
Gosh! $368,000 to repair it? Why so much?